CNU will add lights to football stadium and play 4 of 5 home games at 7 p.m.

Melinda WaldropDaily Press

Christopher Newport's football team will play four of its five home games in 2011 under lights for the first time at POMOCO Stadium.

The school, going into its 11th season of Division III play, announced the addition of lights Tuesday.

"Adding lights will give our program an added dynamic," Captains coach Matt Kelchner said in a release. "We're very excited about the atmosphere that night football will create. Our fans have been so supportive over the years, and I think this is something they will really enjoy."

CNU's first night game will be Sept. 17 against Salisbury at 7 p.m. The Captains open 2011 at home against Waynesburg at 1 p.m. Sept. 3.

The rest of CNU's home games will be played at 7 p.m. The Captains play host to USA South foes Shenandoah on Oct. 8, North Carolina Wesleyan on Oct. 22 and Maryville on Nov. 12 in their regular-season finale.

The Captains also will travel to Stevenson (Md.) on Sept. 10 and open defense of their conference championship at Methodist on Oct. 1. CNU is at Averett on Oct. 15, at Greensboro on Oct. 29 and at Ferrum on Nov. 5.

Coming off a 6-5 mark, CNU is 68-37 in 10 seasons, a .648 winning percentage, and 54-12 (.818) in USA South play.

Melinda Waldrop covers local colleges for The Daily Press. Her blog is at dailypress.com/ oncampus